Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 101: Storm of Retribution

The aftermath of the Crimson Lotus outpost raid left an eerie quiet over the forest. Li Tian and Liu Mei walked through the underbrush, keeping their senses alert. A message flashed before Li Tian's eyes:

[System Notification: Quest Update – Elite Crimson Lotus Enforcer Detected Nearby]

Objective: Confront and defeat the Enforcer. Rewards: Dragon's Inferno Slash Technique.

Li Tian felt a surge of excitement. The Dragon's Inferno Slash was a fabled, powerful technique, known for devastating attacks that could decimate entire defenses. He turned to Liu Mei, who raised an eyebrow as she read his expression.

"An enforcer this close means the Crimson Lotus is onto us," she murmured, her voice calm but eyes sharp. "Let's move quickly. If this technique is as strong as it sounds, we'll need it for whatever's coming."

They didn't have to wait long. A powerful, dark aura pulsed through the forest ahead. Li Tian tensed as they entered a clearing where a figure stood waiting, his dark armor gleaming with red accents, casting an ominous glow against the dark trees. His aura crackled with dark energy, sending waves of tension through the air.

"So, you're Li Tian," the enforcer's voice dripped with mockery. "I've heard tales of your strength and rebellion. It ends here."

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Li Tian smirked, his gaze steady. "Let's see if you're more than just tales yourself."

Without warning, the enforcer charged, his movements a blur. Li Tian barely sidestepped the first strike, feeling the raw force of the wind rushing past. He retaliated with a blast of his Flame Serpent Armor, flames spiraling around him as he struck back, his fist grazing the enforcer's armor. But the enforcer twisted, deflecting with ease, and met his attack with a brutal counterstrike.

They exchanged blows in a deadly dance, shockwaves rippling through the clearing with every collision. Liu Mei joined in, conjuring sharp ice shards that she launched in rapid succession. Some of the shards struck the enforcer, leaving slivers of ice embedded in his armor, but he only snarled, his dark energy flaring as he shattered them with a sweep of his arm.

The enforcer's aura intensified, casting shadowy tendrils that lashed out toward them, one nearly catching Li Tian by the shoulder. He broke free just in time, retaliating with a swift strike of the Shadowstrike Blade Technique, landing a hit on the enforcer's exposed flank, causing his mask to crack.

[System Notification: Progress – 60% Completion]

Seeing an opening, Li Tian channeled his spiritual energy into the Blazing Serpent Technique, his arms moving in fluid patterns as flames gathered in a serpent shape. The fiery serpent shot forward, winding around the enforcer, whose aura flickered under the relentless blaze.

"Now!" Li Tian called to Liu Mei.

With a swift nod, she sent out a hailstorm of ice crystals that surrounded the enforcer, adding to the fiery trap with layers of frost. The air buzzed with the mix of extreme heat and freezing energy, each intensifying the other. The enforcer struggled, his armor cracking under the relentless assault.

The enforcer roared, his dark chains shattering the ice, but his movements had slowed. His once-flawless armor was now marred with cracks, his aura flickering with exhaustion.

[System Notification: Final Strike Opportunity – Dragon's Inferno Slash Available]

The system's guidance surged through Li Tian's mind. Flames ignited along his blade, swirling with an intensity that sent a blazing dragon figure spiraling around him. Channeling every ounce of energy, he unleashed the Dragon's Inferno Slash in one sweeping motion. A roaring wave of fire, shaped like a dragon's head, charged forward and engulfed the enforcer.

The clearing lit up with blinding fire and heat. The enforcer's scream was swallowed by the roar of the inferno as flames consumed him. When the blaze subsided, all that remained was scorched earth and the smoldering remnants of his armor.

Li Tian took a deep breath, his body humming with the aftermath of such intense power. The system's notification echoed in his mind.

[System Notification: Quest Complete – Dragon's Inferno Slash Technique Acquired]

Liu Mei walked over, a faint but relieved smile on her face. "That technique... it's beyond anything I've seen."

"Just the beginning," Li Tian said, catching his breath. "If the Crimson Lotus has more enforcers like him, we'll need every bit of strength we can gather."

He looked over at Liu Mei, a silent understanding passing between them. The battles would only get fiercer, the enemies stronger. Yet, for now, they had earned a moment's respite, with a new technique to lead them into the coming storms.